Craig Burley acknowledges that Real Madrid is “far from perfect,” yet emphasizes the significance of their win against Real Betis.
Kylian Mbappé, the forward for Real Madrid, scored a crucial double, including a penalty, to secure a 2-0 victory at home over Real Betis on Sunday. This marked the team’s second triumph in LaLiga this season.
The French captain, who joined Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in June, had a slow start in LaLiga, failing to score in his first three matches after netting during his debut, a 2-0 win against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup.
On Sunday, Mbappé ended his scoring drought, helping Real Madrid achieve their second victory in four league matches, easing concerns as the team enters a two-week international break. They currently sit in second place with eight points, four behind Barcelona.
After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Las Palmas on Thursday, and with attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham out due to a leg injury, Real Madrid started slowly once again. They dominated possession but struggled to create clear scoring opportunities.
The so-called “New Galacticos,” comprising Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo, struggled with misplaced passes and connectivity issues. Real Betis maintained a well-organized defense and posed a threat on the counterattack, with forward Abde Ezzalzouli missing two promising chances early on that could have unsettled Madrid.
Rodrygo remained fixed in the right channel, while Mbappé and Vinícius failed to find their rhythm as they switched positions. Early games displayed the ongoing challenges of integrating Mbappé into the lineup.
Mbappé missed several clear-cut chances in the opening stages, unable to outpace defenders, but as the match progressed, he began to show signs of returning to form with some penetrating runs from the middle and left wing.
Following the break, the home side appeared more dynamic, with Mbappé and Vinicius starting to connect. Their efforts paid off in the 67th minute when Mbappé scored from close range, thanks to a clever back-heel assist from midfielder Federico Valverde, who displayed excellent vision to beat the offside trap.
Mbappé sealed the victory in the 75th minute with a penalty, awarded after Vinicius was fouled by goalkeeper Rui Silva.